
"We’re actually quite excited by it," museum director Ian Griffin said.
The museum would "start the paper work to add several African butterfly and moth species to our import permit", he said — subject to approval by both the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Environmental Protection Agency.
"These new species will have the potential to add new life to the Tropical Forest, and provide an additional drawcard for visitors."
The museum at present buys tropical butterflies from the Philippines and Costa Rica, but was "trying to do some new things".
After attending a recent international butterfly-related conference in Kenya, museum butterfly team members gained contacts which could diversify the butterfly supply.
The museum may seek to import a species from the Argema genus, or something similar.
Comments
Hold on, our rates are going to a museum who then sends staff to Africa to buy pretty butterflies? If this does not make our blood boil, then what will? ZERO, repeat ZERO DCC & ORC (our) funds for the Otago Museum. There is absolutely NO excuse for mis-spending our funds.